How to pronounce turtle
Say it like TUR-tul. Turtle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce turtle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUR
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Turtle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of turtle
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: TUR-tul.
What does turtle mean?
- a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar
- any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell and flipper-like limbs for swimming
- overturn accidentally“Don't rock the boat or it will capsize!”
- hunt for turtles, especially as an occupation
Where does turtle come from?
Modification of Middle English tortou, tortu, from Old French tortüe (under the influence of Middle English turtel, turtur (“turtledove”), see Etymology 2 below), from Old Occitan tortuga (compare Spanish tortuga), the same source of tortoi
Words that rhyme with turtle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of turtle.
Questions about saying turtle
How do you pronounce turtle?
Say TUR-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɝtəl/. In British English it is /ˈtɜːtəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in turtle?
Turtle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR). Broken into parts: TUR · tul.
Is turtle pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈtɜːtəl/ (TUR-tul).